Encourage Your Family to Eat Healthily with These Advice and Techniques

Most of us have a fairly clear concept of what healthy diet entails: plenty of fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of fat and sugar. When it comes to children, though, understanding what is healthy is just the beginning. It also does not guarantee that your child will voluntarily eat it, even if you purchase healthily.There is hope. Kids need some extra encouragement and guidance, but with a few of these strategies, your kid is sure to eat healthily.

Be a gatekeeper.

It's likely that the easiest way to get your kids to eat healthily is to remove the less-healthy options. Take control of the food and snack options in your home. If there is no other alternative and the youngster is hungry, they will eat anything. Have you ever heard of a child dying of starvation because his parents refused to give him potato chips?

Keep healthy food in sight.

Content diverse family together in kitchen

Keep the unhealthy foods out of your children's reach by storing them in high cabinets. Arrange your refrigerator and cabinets so that healthy foods are the first ones that you see. If you want to retain any unhealthy alternatives in the home, keep them out of sight so that you and your children are less likely to pick them.

Make healthy food convenient.

Wholesome foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, require little preparation, which is great for your starving kid and you. Have a fruit basket at eye level on the counter at all times, or have a container with carrots and celery sticks ready to go in the refrigerator. You might be surprised at how many more fruits and vegetables your kid will eat simply by making them visible and easy to grab.

Make learning about food enjoyable.

For some picky eaters, removing some of the mystery around the origin of food may be quite beneficial. Prepare family meals together, have your kid mix the ingredients, and serve the food to the rest of the family. Plant a vegetable garden as a family project, and put your kid in charge of watering and picking the ripe vegetables. Kids who are involved are more likely to be willing participants in the eating process.

Keep an eye on portion sizes.

Close-Up Photograph of a Child with Curly Hair Eating

On how much their children should eat, parents often worry. Keeping an eye on quantities is important, whether you're attempting to convince a picky eater to try something green or restrict how much dessert your sweet toothed child may have. Knowing the size of a healthy portion will give you some much-needed perspective. To find out what a healthy portion is, see the USDA's Guidelines for Healthy Eating. Be a good example.

Remember that sharing meals with your family is not only a wonderful way to learn about one another's days, but it is also an excellent opportunity to set an example for healthy eating. Kids learn by watching their parents. That's food for thought!